Our policy advisory committees
Access to Justice Committee
This committee:
- reviews and advises on policy formulation and negotiations with the Legal Aid Agency, the Ministry of Justice and wider government to promote improvements in the availability and operation of legal aid and in access to justice
- provides support to practitioners providing, or hoping to provide, publicly funded work through guidance, lobbying and practice notes
- considers and promotes alternative methods of access to justice in conjunction with other relevant committees
Who to contact
Governance officer: Nada Ghanem
Policy adviser: Simon Cliff
Head of justice: Richard Miller
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Richard Owen (chair)
- Daniel Bonich
- Jenny Beck
- Tony Fisher (Council member)
- Anthony Graham
- Jasmine Hollis
- Robert Hush
- Rohini Jana
- Nicola Jones-King (Council member)
- Jawaid Luqmani
- Cris McCurley
- Emily McFadden
- Jacqueline McGuigan
- Stephane Osborne
- Ravinder Singh-Chumber (Council member)
- Jacky White
- Paul Yates
Children Law Subcommittee
This committee:
- reviews and promotes improvements in areas relating to the practice and procedure of public law Children Act proceedings and adoption
- considers any special aspects of private law children issues referred to them by the Family Law Committee
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Farhana Begum
Policy adviser: Sarah Richardson
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Dorothy Simon (co-chair)
- Maria Murphy (co-chair)
- Naomi Angell
- Jerry Bull
- Valerie Cannon
- Melanie Carew
- Laura Coyle
- Julie Hine
- Denise Hoilette
- Julian Hussell
- Charlotte Image-Flower
- Denise Lester (Council member)
- Lindsey Marks
- Jacqueline Stirling
- Jason Tucker
- Rachael Walsh
- Elaine Webb
Civil Justice Committee
The role of this committee is:
- to keep under review, and to promote improvements in civil litigation, including dispute resolution and costs
- to provide guidance to the profession
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Nada Ghanem
Policy adviser: Kate Fox
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- John McQuater (chair)
- Melanie Hart (vice chair)
- Deborah Burke
- Amy Clowrey
- Nicola Critchley
- Ed Crosse
- Brett Dixon (Council member)
- Nichola Evans (Council member)
- Hekim Hannan
- Charlotte Hill (Council member)
- Vidisha Joshi
- Jeffrey Lewis (Council member)
- David Marshall
- Vlad Meerovich
- Fiona Meany
- Nick Parker
- Jonathan Scarsbrook
- Elisabetta Sciallis
- Jonathan Wheeler
- James Whitaker
Company Law Committee
This committee:
- reviews and promotes improvements in the law, practice and procedure applying to companies and businesses regardless of form, insolvency and financial services, including investment vehicles
- considers and responds to government, European and other regulatory initiatives, proposals, legislation and guidance affecting these areas, and to support and promote the role of solicitors in these fields
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Carole Tyrrell
Policy adviser: Nick Denys
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Lucy Reeve (chair)
- Robert Adam
- Alexandra Cardenas
- Emma Clark
- Edward Craft
- Robert Crothers
- Andrew Jolly
- Simon Currie
- Patrick Davis
- Kathryn Devonald
- Rhys Evans
- Emma Grant
- Ben Griffiths
- Alex Hand
- Sarah Hawes
- David Hicks
- James Leader
- Michael Marelus
- Sue Mclaughlin
- Eoin O'Reilly
- Catherine Pitt
- David Pudge
- Dominic Sedghi
- Mohammed Senouci
- Sarah Steele
- Anthony Turner
- Elizabeth Wall
Conveyancing and Land Law Committee
This committee:
- reviews and promotes improvements in all branches of land law, conveyancing procedure and practice and related matters, with a focus on both commercial and residential property
- responds to consultation documents from, and engages with, outside bodies including the government, Law Commission, HM Land Registry, RICS, UK Finance and the Building Societies Association
- helps the profession to adapt to anticipated changes in the conveyancing market including connected regulatory changes
- promotes solicitors as the leading providers of quality conveyancing services. including helping the Law Society develop conveyancing products or services
- provides practical help and expert technical guidance to the profession through the production of practice notes, articles and other communications
- provides both a free pool of specialist expertise and a representative sounding board
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Fiyin Oyedele
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Michael Draper (chair)
- Emily d'Albuquerque
- Dona Awano
- Sarah Dwight
- Philip Freedman CBE KC (Hon)
- Laura Ford
- Surekha Gangakhedkar
- Russell Hewitson (Council member)
- Warren Gordon
- Stephen Jackson
- Peter Rodd (Council member)
- Mark Sellers
Criminal Law Committee
This committee:
- reviews and promotes improvements in criminal law, practice and procedure
- considers matters referred by other committees, working parties and task forces
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Farhana Begum
Policy adviser: Janet Arkinstall
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Stuart Nolan (chair)
- Scott Bowen
- Rebecca Crump
- Joe Mensah Dankwah
- Matthew Hardcastle
- Stephen Head
- Matthew Hickling
- Richard Graham
- Gareth Gwyndaf Jones
- Laura Janes
- Michael Jones
- Trudy McBride
- Anna Metcalfe
- John Moreland
- Scott Neilson
- Mark Newby (Council member)
- Jessica Skinns
- Professor Peter Hungerford-Welsh
Economic Crime Task Force
This committee advises on all matters relating to economic crime and sanctions, including to:
- promote the targeted and proportionate implementation of the regulatory objective (section 209 of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 introduced a regulatory objective to the Legal Services Act 2007)
- advise on guidance to solicitors about their professional, regulatory and legal responsibilities
- advise on the approach that should be taken in responding to proposals for new legislation and/or prospective legislative changes and guidance from government or elsewhere and in promoting reasoned and proportionate legislation, regulation and guidance
- review and comment where necessary on all economic crime and sanctions-related consultations
- promote the protection of the profession's interests and represent its views in a way which is consistent with driving excellence in the profession, safeguarding the rule of law and protecting everyone's right to have access to justice
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Richard Lorkin
Policy manager: Rick Kent
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Amy Bell (chair)
- Luis Campbell
- Richard Carter
- Susannah Cogman
- Helen Devine
- Ross Dixon
- Robert Drury
- Lee Edwards
- Richard Farquhar (observer)
- Annette Fritze-Shanks
- Jason Hungerford
- Sarah Kebbell
- Nicola Kirby
- Michael Levi
- Roger Matthews
- Emma Oettinger
- Amasis Saba
- Marcus Thompson
- Karen Voller
- Emma Williams
- Guy Wilkes
Education and Training Committee
This committee:
- sets and oversees the implementation of policy for the promotion of solicitors' interests in regulatory matters relating to education and training
- assists the Policy and Regulatory Affairs Committee in carrying out its function in relation to education and training matters.
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Richard Lorkin
Policy adviser: Nicole Poole
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Michael Draper (chair)
- Jason Tucker (vice chair)
- Rebekah Sutcliffe (JSN vice chair)
- Fiona Anthony
- Aneesha Bhunjun
- Adele Edwin-Lamerton
- Rosemary Keczkes
- Tom Ketteley
- Dr Omar Madhloom
- Ben Perry
- Victoria Rope
Employment Law Committee
This committee:
- reviews and promotes improvements in employment law and practice
- supports members of the profession undertaking work in employment law
- promotes the role of solicitors practicing in employment law
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Carole Tyrrell
Policy adviser: Nick Denys
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Max Winthrop (chair)
- Afshin Bemani
- Carla Bennett
- Adele Edwin-Lamerton
- Rachel Ellis
- Beth Hale
- Jodie Hill
- Kayleigh Leonie
- William McKay
- Sean Nesbitt
- Daniella Parsons
- Kate Redshaw
- Doreen Reeves
- Tarun Tawakley
European Union Committee
This committee:
- ensures we respond to relevant EU proposals and communications
- assists us in our lobbying activity in the EU institutions
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Jemma Lockhart
Policy adviser: Georgina Berriman
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Diana Wallis (chair)
- Mark Basset
- Anna Bradshaw
- Alec Burnside
- Sam De Silva
- Pietro Denaro
- Alex Duterque
- Richard Frimston
- Jonathan Goldsmith (Council member)
- Richard Lang
- Tim O’Sullivan
- Edward Pitt
- Ted Shapiro
- Tatiana Siakka
- Pedro Telles
- Diederik Wintershoven
Family Law Committee
This committee:
- reviews and promotes improvements in family law, practice and procedure, including child care law and procedure
- reviews and advises on the role, design and operation of any relevant accreditation schemes
Who to contact
Governance officer: Farhana Begum
Policy adviser: Sarah Richardson
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Karen Dovaston (chair)
- Jenny Beck
- Caroline Bowden
- Sarah Colley
- Karen Dovaston
- Lisette Dupre
- Elizabeth Fletcher
- David Hodson
- Sophie Hughes
- Denise Lester (Council member)
- Yinka Magbadelo
- Maria Murphy
- Jo O’Sullivan
- Dorothy Simon
Housing Law Committee
This committee:
- monitors and promotes improvements in the practice and procedure of courts and tribunals relating to housing cases
- promotes and develops legal services and awareness of legal issues in the housing field
- engages in issues relating to the sustainability of housing law practice, including legal aid and fixed recoverable costs
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Nada Ghanem
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Christian Hansen (co-chair)
- Sara Stephens (co-chair)
- Neli Borisova
- Robert Brown
- Rachel Olivia Pulley Crowther
- Sian Evans
- Daniel Fitzpatrick (Council member)
- Paul Gorton
- Rosemary Keczkes
- Angus King
- Andrew Lucas
- Mike Norman
- Jennifer Phillips
- Andrea Williams
Human Rights Committee
This committee upholds human rights and the rule of law both domestically and internationally, particularly in relation to lawyers, their professional activities and the upholding of human rights standards.
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Bunty Kerray
Policy adviser: Hazel Blake
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Courtenay Barklem (chair)
- Danielle Cohen (Council member)
- Tony Fisher
- Michael Imperato
- Angela Jackman
- Rosemin Keshvani (Council member)
- Shoaib M Khan
- Ravi Naik
- Emma Norton
- Dr Zoe Picton-Howell
- Simon Rollason (Council member)
- Teni Shahiean
- Lucy Stoy
- Niresha Umaichelvam
- John Wadham
- Aneeta Williams
Immigration Law Committee
This committee reviews and promotes improvements in immigration and asylum law, practice and procedure.
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Bunty Kerray
Policy adviser: Sinead Nowak
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Muhunthan Paramesvaran (chair)
- Kamla Adiseshiah
- Bushra Ali
- Zoe Bantleman,
- Christopher Cole (observer)
- Joanna Hunt
- Zoe Jacob
- Zeena Luchowa
- Rebecca Kuehler
- Vina Madhavji
- Tom Marsom
- Shahailya Stephenson
- Nick Webb
- Richard Young
- Jessica Yu (Council member)
Intellectual Property Law Committee
This committee reports on intellectual property matters only where doing so addresses any one or more of these objectives:
- influencing law reform to achieve a better system of justice
- supporting solicitors to help them achieve the standards expected of them, and deliver good service
- regulating and setting standards for solicitors to make sure they deliver a good and ethical service to consumers
- representing the interests of solicitors as a whole
The committee considers the objectives listed above to cover reports on:
- the clarity, accessibility and workability of intellectual property legislation and practices
- the ability of proposed intellectual property legislation or practices to achieve their stated purpose
- matters concerning intellectual property awareness among private individuals and companies and within public bodies
The committee will consider the following factors in deciding whether to report on an issue, and in framing that report:
- the extent to which the issue raises questions that fall within the committee objectives
- the need for expert intellectual property input on the issue
- the extent of resources available to the committee
- the timeliness of the request
- the likely impact of a report from the committee
It will not report on intellectual property matters to advance any particular factional interests over any other factional interest.
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Fiyin Oyedele
Policy adviser: William McSweeney
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Karmen Koh Allen (chair)
- Caroline Bass
- Joanna Conway
- Gareth Dickson
- John Enser
- Matthew Harris
- Michael Hawkins
- Vikki Leitch
- Roland Mallinson
- Ben Mark
- Giles Parsons
- Carolyn Pepper
- Duncan Ribbons
- Emma Stopford
- Ashmeet Wadwa
- James Whitaker
International Issues Committee
This committee:
- promotes the international reputation and interests of solicitors and the Law Society both at home and abroad
- supports the international department to promote the rule of law in its work on the development of independent legal professions and access to justice worldwide
- advises on the implications for the profession of international developments, particularly within international associations and professional and governmental bodies
- raises awareness in the profession of the increasing importance of international work to the legal sector and the benefits to be derived from it
- makes recommendations to the office holders, boards and the Council on the representation of the Law Society at international events and on international bodies
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Jemma Lockhart
Policy adviser: Mickael Laurans
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Eunice Shang-Simpson (chair)
- Christina Blacklaws
- Emanuele Bosia
- Sara Chandler
- Tony Fisher
- Ben Giaretta
- Jonathan Goldsmith
- Tony Grundy (Council member)
- James Love
- Sarah Murray
- Camilla MacPherson
- Sergei Ostrovsky
- Rafal Zakrzewski
Mental Health and Disability Law Committee
This committee:
- reviews and promotes improvements in law, practice and procedure affecting disabled people, including those who have mental health needs, and people who are in vulnerable circumstances, which ensures their rights and equality of treatment under the law
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Bunty Kerray
Policy adviser: David Stephenson
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Kirsty Stuart (chair)
- Caroline Bielanska
- Elizabeth Cleaver
- Neil Cronin
- Lauren Crow
- Sheree Green
- Chris Ince
- Alice Livermore
- Nicola Mackintosh KC (Hon)
- Jamie Middleton
- Sophy Miles
- Jennifer Nwachukwu
- Camilla Parker
- Bridget Penhale
- Dr Zoe Picton-Howell
- Deborah Robinson
- Alex Ruck-Keene
- Kathrina Salter
- Lucy Scott-Moncrief (CBE)
- Ben Troke
- Andrew Wigmore
Planning and Environmental Law Committee
This committee:
- reviews and promotes improvements in planning law, practice and procedure (including related areas of law such as listed buildings and conservation, highways, nature conservation, water resources, drainage and flood risk, compulsory purchase and compensation) and environmental law and procedure
- supports solicitors practising planning and environmental law
- promotes the value of solicitors in planning and environmental processes
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Fiyin Oyedele
Policy adviser: Alasdair Cameron
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Sebastian Charles (chair)
- Nigel Bell
- Heidi Copland
- Noel Doran
- Tim Hallam
- Beth Harries
- Bernadette Hillman
- Gary Howard
- Sadia Hussain
- Richard Keczkes
- Peter Kellett
- Philip Kratz
- Caroline May
- Jamie McKie
- Steve Murphy
- Hannah Quarterman
- Lee Saywack
- Chad Sutton
- James Thomas
- Andrew Wiseman
Professional Indemnity Insurance Committee
This committee monitors and investigates issues around solicitors' indemnity insurance.
Under these terms of reference this committee provides advice on policy matters relating to:
- solicitors’ professional indemnity insurance
- other aspects of solicitors’ business insurance
- client financial protections, including the SRA Compensation Fund and the Solicitors Indemnity Fund
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Richard Lorkin
Policy adviser: Simon Thomson
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Linda Lee (chair)
- Michael Garson (co-opt)
- Guy Goodings (Council member)
- David Green
- Simon Lambeth
- Christopher Miller
- Ben Parks
- Niya Phiri
- Jenny Screech (co-opt)
- Fran Shaw
- Owen Thomas (co-opt)
- Bikram Virk
Professional Standards and Ethics Committee
This committee monitors and keeps under review the ethical values, professional principles and standards regulating and governing solicitors, their organisations and their areas of practice, and in particular:
- develops proposals for best practice and changes to professional principles and standards for submission to the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and elsewhere
- responds to consultations on changes to professional principles and standards promoted by the SRA, the Legal Services Board (LSB) and other regulators
- provides support and advice on interpretation, management and best practice in relation to ethical values, professional principles and standards as appropriate
- reports to the Policy and Regulatory Affairs Committee, and seeks approval from that committee for policy proposals and for major responses to consultations
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Richard Lorkin
Policy adviser: James Woolf
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Peter Cadman (chair)
- Sophie Cisler
- Tim Connal
- Natalie Cooksey
- Claire Duncan
- Jim Meyer
- Sarah Steele
- Craig Underwood
- Helen Walsh
- Lucy Wells
- Andriana Zacharia
Regulatory Processes Committee
This committee monitors the processes and procedures employed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT) respectively in performance of their role in regulating solicitors and in particular:
- responds to consultations on processes and procedure from the SRA and other regulators
- develops proposals for changes to processes and procedure for submission to the SRA, SDT and elsewhere
- provides advice on proper processes, procedures and good practice in relevant areas as appropriate
The committee also monitors the systems in place for complaints about solicitors, and in particular:
- responds to consultations on complaints from the Legal Ombudsman
- develops proposals on changes to the complaints procedures, for submission to the Legal Ombudsman
- provides advice on proper processes, procedures and good practice in relevant areas as appropriate
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Richard Lorkin
Policy adviser: Anjali Mouelhi
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Peter Steel (chair)
- Rebecca Atkinson
- Helen Carr
- Andrea Cohen
- Claire Duncan
- Adrienne Edgerley Harris
- Robert Forman
- Richard Nelson
- Julie Norris
- John Whitehouse
- Jayne Willetts
- Sanchia Wheeler
Tax Law Committee
This committee reviews and promotes improvements in tax law and procedure. It has a number of sub-groups:
- Capital Taxes Sub Committee
- Corporation Tax Sub Committee
- Income Tax Sub Committee
- International Tax Sub Committee
- Stamp Taxes Working Party
- VAT and Duties Sub Committee
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Carole Tyrrell
Policy adviser: Amani White
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Lydia Challen (co-chair)
- Stephen Pallister (co-chair)
- Sandy Bhogal
- Jonathan Colclough
- Jonathan Cooklin
- Ben Eaton
- Malcolm Gammie
- Robert Gaut
- Heather Gething
- Alex Jupp
- Serena Lee
- Marilyn McKeever
- Gregory Price
- Ed Powles
- Martin Shah
- Simon Skinner
- Sarah Squires
- Nick Thornton
- Rosemary Todd
Technology and Law Committee
This committee:
- provides advice and develops guidance that will assist the profession in adopting relevant new technologies and comply with IT-related professional obligations and regulatory requirements (including data protection and cybersecurity)
- seeks to shape developing policy initiatives including courts modernisation
- contributes to the Law Society becoming an influential voice in the legal, regulatory and ethical debates concerning the role of emerging new technologies including AI and machine-learning and their impact on the law and legal practice
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Fiyin Oyedele
Policy advisor: Janis Wong
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Joan Purvis (chair)
- Kerry Beynon
- Akber Datoo
- Sam De Silva
- Dorothy Delahunt
- Tim Heywood
- Pavel Klimov
- Lisa McClory
- Smita Oza (Council member)
- Tanja Podinic
- Patrick Skinner
- Sam Spivack (observer)
- Christopher Tart-Roberts
- Ben Weinberger
Wills and Equity Committee
This committee:
- advises the Law Society on matters relating to the reform of the law and the legislative process relating to wills, probate, financial and tax planning, trusts and estate administration and, insofar as it relates to such matters, the law relating to mental capacity and charities
- supports the development of up to date professional advice and guidance on such matters
- reviews and advises on the role, design and operation of relevant accreditation schemes
- liaises with the Law Society's Private Client Section
Who to contact:
Governance officer: Bunty Kerray
Policy adviser: David Stephenson
Contact: governance@lawsociety.org.uk
- Stephen Lawson (chair)
- Ian Bond
- Kieran Bowe
- Juliet Brook
- Blerta Clubb
- Richard Dew
- Alexander Erskine
- Jade Gani
- Melinda Giles (Council member)
- Byron Jones
- Lorraine Robinson
Join a specialist committee
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Get involved with our Policy and Regulatory Affairs Committee sub-committees.